Jericho was an inhabited city whose conquest God had already designated. Although the Israelites were required to follow a prescribed plan of execution … marching around the city 7 times … they were assured of victory as God had already ordained it. Rahab, the harlet, and her family were the only survivors of the rout.

We don’t turn our guns on targets not approved of God. Your neighbor isn’t your enemy. Rather, life-destroying habits and addictions are what we really need to go after.

Everything that won’t bow to Jesus must go.

PRAYER: Father, You always cause us to triumph through Christ Jesus. Lead on, O King eternal.

READ: Joshua 4-6

As the Children of Israel, under Joshua’s command, commenced to enter the land God had promised, they discovered that their reputation preceded them. God had sent a fear into the hearts of the lands inhabitants already. It was not the conquest of the Israelites … it was actually God’s conquest.

It’s the same today. All we have in Christ has already been won. The Lord has fought the battle and the victory is ours.

Through faith and grace, all of God’s promises are ours. Enter in.

PRAYER: Lord, You are the Mighty Warrior. You are the One Who has gotten us the victory. We live our lives in gratitude and praise for all that You have done.

READ: Joshua 1-3

Moses laid his hands upon Joshua to transfer the authority to become the new leader of  God’s people. Not a letter, nor an email … it was a physical laying on of hands that imparted the necessary elements of spiritual power that would equip Joshua for the challenges to come.

Paul understood this principle when he stated, “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;”  [Rom. 1:11]

Lay hands upon your children when you pray for them. Get them used to it.

PRAYER: Lord, all spiritual authority comes from you. We are your servants, and we give out through prayer and laying on of hands the spiritual gifts You have imparted.

READ: Deut. 33, 34

Moses uttered his final message to Israel in a song. It summarized his instructions on fully embracing God’s laws and ways. His warning; don’t reject God’s perfect ways by investing your earthly lives in the pursuit of pleasing your lustful flesh.

As New Testament Christians, we can receive the warning that the result of a life of carnal pursuit will only end in pain and sorrow. God isn’t willing that any perish, but that we would come to our senses and make right paths for our feet. We will receive the rewards for doing so.

PRAYER: Father, forgive us for going our own way, seeking to please only ourselves. We choose Your way. Lead us into truth through the cleansing blood and power of Christ Jesus.

READ: Deut. 32

The children of the Israelites that passed through the wilderness observed firsthand the results of obedience and disobedience. It was only the children that inherited the new land … those who grumbled and sinned on the trip were kept out of the Land of Promise.

Our desire is that our children can walk in the goodness of God. Our lives teach them how to live and how NOT to live.

A secure, loving, Christian home-life is one of the greatest gifts we can give them.

PRAYER: Father, fill our homes with Your grace and blessing. We want our children to know You and Your ways.

READ: Deut. 29-31

There are natural consequences that effect our lives, whether we live wisely or ignorantly. For instance, pouring water on a plant will help it grow, and pouring gasoline on it will kill it.

God promises blessings if we will observe His laws and His way of living. Let’s face it, we all fall short of God’s glory and His choicest blessings, but we have a Savior who took the curse of sin upon Himself. We don’t deserve it, but God provides a life of blessing for those who love Him and accept Christ’s atoning blood.

What a deal!

PRAYER: Lord, we bow in humble gratitude for the way You’ve blessed us and taken away the curse over us. Through faith and grace, we live every day under skies of blessing and favor.

READ: Deut. 27, 28

God blesses the lives of those who walk in obedience. How to obey is taught primarily in the home. Children all have a nature that needs to be conformed to acceptable standards of behavior. Some children require more “work” than others.

I have lived long enough to observe the fruit of Godly child-rearing. When children are taught to respect authority and become obedient to what’s required of them, they will be more likely to cultivate healthy homes of their own.

The Christian home can provide children with the blessings of heaven.

PRAYER: Father, give us the grace to train and teach children who show forth the principles of Your Kingdom. Your ways are higher than ours. Families who observe Your ways walk in blessing and favor that brings glory to You.

READ: Deut. 23-26

The law stated that if you found your neighbor’s donkey or ox straying, or his [car] broken down by the side of the road, you are to do your best to help him … keep his ox, help fix his car etc. Implied was a standard of neighborly courtesy and care that cemented a family feel among the Israelites.

Relationships in the body of Christ are often closer than those of blood relatives. God’s people look out for each other. When the neighbor is not Christian, it becomes servant evangelism.

PRAYER: Lord, we want to be Your hands of love and service extended. Open our eyes to see opportunities to reach out and show Your love and care.

READ: Deut. 20-22

The requirements Moses stated for kings and leaders make sound advice for Christian leaders today. They were not to seek undue personal gain, or consider themselves above their constituents. They were to frequently read the law so they could execute the Lord’s will on a consistent basis.

Violation of these principles make leaders targets for criticism or decaying respect.

Amen

PRAYER: Father, we lift up the leaders You have placed among us, and ask that You guide them and inspire them to remain faithful to You in all the little things that constitute a life of integrity.

READ: Deut. 17-19

(Sorry I’m late today)

In the culture God gave to Israel, He commanded them to be open-handed (generous) to the poor. An open hand is liberal. A closed hand with-holds and seeks its own good above those in need.

Caring for the poor is lending to the Lord, and you will be well repaid. [Pr. 19:17]

PRAYER: Lord, You have been so generous to us. Let us see ways we can likewise be generous to those in need around us. We don’t want to shut off Your blessings.

READ: Deut. 13-16